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Restaurant Round-Up: Fall 2025 – Coffee Shop Edition

Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers

Auburn Oil is the place to go for delicious coffee with a side of books in Auburn. This downtown bookstore is arguably the best in town, and at the back of the store you will find a barista serving up a varied menu of coffee, tea, cider, and hot chocolate. One of their most popular drinks is “Looking for Alaska”, a latte with the perfect blend of white mocha and peppermint.

Each month they feature a specialty drink that is creatively written on their chalkboard. If you are looking for your next read and one of the best lattes in town, step in to this cozy bookstore on Magnolia!

Side Track Coffee

Across the Auburn-Opelika Coffee Shop Trail, no spot is quite like downtown Opelika’s Side Track. Where other coffee shops invite you in with plush sofas and colorful interiors, Side Track offers you a wooden stool inside a white room. And yet, the place oozes charm. First-time customers will realize this is not your standard coffee shop when, after ordering, the register’s screen requests them to input not a tip, but a price. Pay-what-you-want pricing makes Side Track a proper sanctuary for anyone seeking community, regardless of circumstance.

This commitment to community is evident not just in the pricing scheme, but in the friendly service as well. Sitting at the bar, even without ordering anything, it is only a matter of time until a glass of water is set in front of you by one of the friendly baristas. Side Track’s furniture situation also contributes to the open, welcoming atmosphere. Almost nothing is fixed in place, and stools can always be dragged up to seemingly full tables to make sure your party can sit together, and then some. It almost feels tasteless to bring up the quality of the coffee, because what Side Track offers is so much more than caffeinated beverages. This is a proper gem of the Auburn-Opelika area, and a must-stop on the Coffee Shop Trail. 

Thrive Here @Auburn

Located inside Auburn University’s Tony & Libba Rane Culinary Science Center, Thrive Coffee blends great coffee with hands-on learning. Operated in partnership with the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, the café doubles as a teaching lab where students roast beans, craft syrups, prepare espresso drinks, and gain real experience running a specialty coffee shop.

The space is bright, modern, and relaxed –  complete with a record player and plenty of room to study – making it a favorite spot for students.

Signature drinks like seasonal lattes, along with house-made ingredients from the center’s pastry kitchen, give the menu a creative touch. I tried the Candy Cane Captain, an iced latte with candy cane flavored oat milk. It was a perfect sweet drink, just in time for the holidays! Thrive accepts Tiger Card dining dollars and offers a loyalty program, adding to its campus appeal.

More than just a coffee spot, Thrive embodies the Rane Center’s mission: blending education and industry in a real-world setting where students learn, serve, and create exceptional coffee every day.

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Autumn in Auburn: When the Campus Turns Orange

There is something undeniably special about Auburn in the fall. All across campus, the trees have turned the color of orange, deep and glowing, as if the University itself has dressed up in school spirit. The air carries a soft crispness that feels like a promise – of new beginnings and treasured memories waiting to be made.

Walking to class feels different in this season. Leaves crunch underfoot, and the same paths you have walked all semester now seem brand new. The sunlight lingers a little longer on the red brick concourses and catches in the golden leaves drifting down from the oaks near Samford Hall. You pause to watch, and time slows for just a moment.

Fall has a way of making the familiar seem more special. The paths, the buildings, the small routines – all seem to come alive in color and light. As the wind carries another swirl of orange across your path, you realize it is more than just a beautiful time of year. It is the season of sweaters and spirit, and of warmth and belonging. Fall in Auburn feels like stepping into a story – one painted in orange, filled with laughter, tradition, and the quiet magic of home.

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Fall 2026 Freshmen Admissions Process: Dates, Deadlines, Decision Types, and Next Steps

The Fall 2026 admissions cycle is in full swing here in our admissions office on the Plains!

Students who met our first Early Action deadline of September 15th will be receiving a decision very soon. Our second Early Action deadline was October 15th. Decisions for that round will be released in mid-November. There are still two more Early Action deadlines! November 15th is our next Early Action deadline, and December 1st is the final Early Action deadline. Our Regular Decision deadline is February 1, 2026. This is the last opportunity to apply to Auburn for the Fall 2026 term.

To meet a deadline, we must receive all required materials by that date as well. Even if you selected “Regular Decision” in Common App, your application will be reviewed in an Early Action round if your file is complete by an earlier deadline.

What is Early Action?

Early Action is a preliminary academic review that includes consideration of all information on the transcript and ACT or SAT scores. Students must be admitted in an Early Action round to be eligible for any Auburn scholarship. We are continuing a test-optional pathway for Fall 2026, but test scores will be required for Fall 2027 and beyond. Auburn is a test-preferred institution, though, and it is significantly more competitive to be admitted without test scores. There is also a 3.6 minimum GPA requirement for test-optional eligibility. If you are applying for Fall 2026 and have questions about this, please reach out to your admissions advisor. You can search for your admissions advisor here.

Each year the applicant pool competes with itself. We use recent data as a guideline for competitiveness. For Fall 2024, the middle 50% GPA of enrolling students was 3.87-4.31. The middle 50% ACT and SAT ranges for Alabama residents enrolling was 24-31 and 1210-1380, and 28-32 and 1270-1380 for non-residents. The average GPA of test-optional applicants was a 4.2.

Regarding ACT and SAT scores, we can only accept official scores sent directly from the testing agency. It can take up to TWO WEEKS to receive official test scores from ACT or College Board. Nine times out of ten, this is why a student misses a deadline, so go ahead and send us your official scores early! We will accept superscores for ACT and SAT. For transcripts, we can accept official OR unofficial copies. We consider GPA on a weighted, cumulative 4.0 scale. More information about our freshmen admissions process can be found here.

Decision Types: Admit, Defer, and Deny

Admitted Applicants:

Congratulations! Be on the lookout for more communication about next steps!

On-Campus Housing: It is not required or guaranteed. If you are interested in living on campus, watch for an email from the Housing office in your Auburn email account. To secure a spot for room selection that will begin in March, you will want to submit your housing application as soon as your housing application timeslot opens. Housing application timeslots for the first round of admitted students will open in early November. You do not have to pay the $250 enrollment deposit to apply for housing! You can go ahead and pay it early if you would like, but please know that it is non-refundable. This is only required prior to selecting a room, which will begin in late March. You can learn more about the housing application process here.

Scholarships: Students admitted in an Early Action round receive automatic consideration for competitive merit scholarships. You will want to complete the AUSOM scholarship application to receive consideration for general and departmental scholarships by no later than early February. We will accept updated test scores for scholarship purposes until January 12, 2026, so send us your new test scores if you have them! To be considered for need-based scholarships, we must receive your FAFSA by early February as well. More information about first-year student scholarships can be found here.

Deferred Applicants:

There will be a more comprehensive review of your file before a final decision is made. This comprehensive review will include consideration of a resume/activities, academic letters of recommendation, an optional supporting statement, midyear grades, and any new test scores. The optional supporting statement is a checklist item that will be added for deferred applicants. We highly encourage students to complete this if they are deferred and still interested in Auburn. All deferred applicants will receive a final decision no later than early March, but some deferred applicants may be admitted in an earlier round depending on the new information submitted. Deferred applicants will not be denied prior to early March. We are encouraging deferred applicants to submit new information as soon as possible.

Denied Applicants:

You will have the option to submit an appeal when that process opens in March. You can learn more about our appeal process here. Please know that few appeals are granted. There is always a way to get to Auburn though if that is your goal! We have a transfer process that you can learn more about here.

If you have other questions, please reach out to your admissions advisor. We are here to help you navigate this process and help you on your journey to Auburn!

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Discover Your Path with the Involvement Ambassadors

By: Jackson Yanosky
Student Involvement – Student Writer

Here at Auburn, students have countless opportunities to become involved on campus, whether you are freshman, a senior or anything in between. There is something for everyone with over 500 on-campus organizations. With so many places one can go, many students often feel overwhelmed by the multitude of options available to them for getting involved. The Involvement Ambassadors are here to help students discover their path.  

Involvement Ambassadors (IA) help students navigate through Auburn’s many organizations and excel at assisting students in finding opportunities that suit them. These approachable, enthusiastic students have a broad insight into the different student organizations and student populations on the Plains. With 30 members, the Involvement Ambassadors have a team fit to serve each member of the Auburn family uniquely and work hard to ensure that all students find a home here. Kayle Cooper, president of IA, says that “the mission of the Involvement Ambassadors has always been to help Auburn students discover their passions, interests, and community by getting involved in organizations,” and believes that this year will be one of their best yet.

Now acting solely as a Student Activities Organization, the Involvement Ambassadors are more focused on outreach than ever. Students can find them tabling on the Haley concourse every Wednesday, as well as at various outreach events, including the Involvement Fair and classroom visits. At these events, students will find a team full of friendly, knowledgeable people who will truly connect with them.  

“The Involvement Ambassadors have an incredible opportunity to use their knowledge about involvement to connect with students personally and help them discover their interests in a new season of their life,” Cooper says.  

The IA team not only will just sit down with students and connect them with the organizations best suited for them but will enjoy doing it! “Above all, the IAs just love getting to meet students and welcome them into the Auburn family,” says Cooper, who also comments that “it is so fulfilling and joyful to watch students thrive at Auburn by finding their community and passions through involvement.” 

IA has grown in both outreach capability and size in the past few years and is equipped with all the tools they need to work with every student. Resources like AUinvolve, Auburn’s involvement website, help the IAs direct students towards organizations they will love. Their broad perspective of organizations partly comes from the fact that so many of them are deeply involved themselves. Each are members of different organizations, so their perspective on what majors go best with what organizations and what people fit best in certain areas is extensive.  

“It is such an honor to get to lead students who are passionate about helping other students find their passions,” Cooper exclaims, saying that “students should come visit the Involvement Ambassadors because we have first handedly gotten to experience the impact of Auburn involvement, and we love it!” 

If you are a student looking to get involved, looking to find a home, or looking to meet new people, the Involvement Ambassadors are here for you. Come and visit them in the Involvement Suite (Melton Student Center 3130), email them at getinvolved@auburn.edu, or follow their social media (@AUinvolve) for more information!  

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What in the world is Camp War Eagle??

Incoming freshmen take part in Camp War Eagle activities on June 5, 2025, as part of Auburn University’s orientation for new students.

Camp War Eagle (CWE) is Auburn’s two-day summer orientation program for new freshmen! At CWE, incoming freshmen meet their CWE Orientation Counselor and other incoming freshman students, learn more about campus resources to help them be successful at Auburn, and register for fall classes with their academic advisor. This past summer, over 6,000 incoming freshmen attended CWE.

Our current students also have the opportunity to be a Camp War Eagle counselor for the summer! One of our CWE counselors, Lydia East, said this about her experience:

“Being a part of this team and having an impact on thousands of incoming students was truly the greatest experience. Watching these students embrace Auburn as their new home was incredibly rewarding and brought so much joy to each day! I am so thankful to have been a small part of their Auburn journey. War Eagle”

Lydia East, sophomore, Agriculture Communications

Admitted students can begin to register for their CWE session in March. There is not an advantage to attending an earlier session, and each session holds a certain number of spots in core classes for registration.

Camp War Eagle, CWE

Learn more about CWE here on our First Year Experience website!

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Why I Love Auburn: A Series

By Bree Davis, former Admissions Advisor

I didn’t go to Auburn. I didn’t roll Toomer’s Corner as a student. I never rushed to class across the concourse or took a final in Haley Center (though I have gotten lost in there a time or two).

But today, I walk the campus as a staff member at Auburn University, and I know this place has become part of who I am. You don’t have to hold a degree from Auburn to believe in it or to love it.

I’m proud to be a two-time graduate of Troy University, where I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees. Troy gave me a strong academic foundation and the start of my professional journey. I was heavily involved in Greek life as a student, which opened the door to my very first job in higher education. What started as campus involvement quickly turned into a career calling that included supporting students, creating access, and helping young people discover what’s next.

Coming from a university with about 13,000 students, I’ll admit I was nervous about transitioning into a larger institution. I wondered if I’d ever find the same close-knit community and sense of family at Auburn that I had at Troy. But I was quickly and wholeheartedly proven wrong. Auburn’s sense of connection, pride, and support runs deep. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or staff, you’re welcomed as family here. I’ve felt it every day since joining the university.

Now, as I transition into my new role in the College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM), I feel incredibly grateful. Grateful to continue doing meaningful work at a place that values its people, its purpose, and its promise to students. Grateful to be part of a community that doesn’t just talk about family but also lives it.

My connection to Auburn doesn’t come from where I studied, but from the values I see lived out here every day and the values that are captured in The Auburn Creed:

“I believe that this is a practical world and that I can count only on what I earn…”

In admissions, I see the impact of hard work every day. Auburn attracts students who are driven and those who take the time to build strong applications, pursue academic excellence, and seek out opportunities to grow. Whether it’s preparing for a competitive major or meeting early deadlines for scholarship consideration, Auburn rewards students who take initiative and invest in their future.

“I believe in education…”

I didn’t sit in Auburn’s classrooms, but I’ve seen how Auburn students are challenged to think deeply and solve real-world problems. I also see how faculty and staff support that journey every step of the way. In my own professional path, I’ve grown through mentorship and meaningful relationships, which is proof that education doesn’t stop at graduation.

“I believe in honesty and truthfulness…”

Trust is essential in admissions and advising. Students and families come to us with big questions and even bigger dreams. I do my best to meet them with honesty, compassion, and clarity. That kind of authenticity builds confidence, and it’s something Auburn does incredibly well.

“I believe in a sound mind, in a sound body, and a spirit that is not afraid.”

Working in higher education, especially in recruitment, takes creativity and courage. It means believing in the power of possibility, even when the path ahead feels uncertain. Auburn fosters that kind of boldness not just in students, but in the staff and faculty who support them.

“I believe in Auburn and love it.”

That final line (and my personal favorite) resonates more deeply with me every day. Auburn is not just where I work. It’s where I’ve found purpose, people, and pride. It’s where I’ve grown. And now, in my new role within COSAM, I’m excited to keep growing and to help students do the same.

I didn’t attend Auburn, but Auburn has become a part of me. And every day, I’m grateful to be part of this incredible community.

War Eagle.

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Start the Adventure: The Different Types of Study Abroad Programs at Auburn

By Bailey Croker, Coordinator of Student Services & Marketing, Auburn Abroad

At Auburn University, study abroad isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a passport to personal growth, global understanding, and academic momentum — tailored to fit your goals, your schedule, and your comfort zone. Whether you’re aiming for a full semester in Europe, a summer of research in South America, or a faculty-led tour of Asia, Auburn Abroad offers the flexibility and variety to make global learning a reality for every student.


Here’s a look at the main types of programs Auburn Abroad offers — and how each one can open a door to the world.

1. Auburn Faculty-Led Study: Take your Classroom Abroad

Best for: Students ready to immerse themselves in another culture for a longer duration, up to a semester, along with Auburn faculty and students.


With Auburn’s Faculty-Led study abroad programs, you can travel abroad during the fall, spring, or summer term. These programs offer an immersive experience, with an Auburn touch. These programs allow for opportunities to take classes with other Auburn students and experience a new culture and life abroad.


Highlights:

  • Ranges from 2 weeks to 12 weeks.
  • Earn credit toward your degree.
  • Deep cultural and academic engagement.

Example: AU CADC – Building Science Down Under in Australia and New Zealand

2. Auburn Embedded: Add on an International Aspect to your Semester

Best for: Students wanting to experience a traditional semester on campus, while still wanting to travel abroad.

An Auburn Abroad Embedded Program offers students the opportunity to participate in a short-term international experience as a component of a semester-long course. Students participate in the on-campus course component throughout the fall or spring semesters. The international component of Embedded Programs – typically 7-10 days in duration – takes place during a university break.

Highlights:

  • Embedded into a semester.
  • Earn credit toward your degree.
  • New cultural and academic engagement while still experiencing a traditional semester on
    campus.

Example: AU Business – International Business in the Netherlands

3. Auburn Experience: Short-Term, Big Impact

Best for: Students who want a program for service-learning and volunteering with Auburn professors and peers that doesn’t have credit attached.


Auburn Experience programs are some of the most popular and accessible options. These short-term experiences (typically during spring break or summer) are designed and led by Auburn faculty or staff and focus on specific topics. You’ll travel alongside a group of fellow Auburn students, making it a great first step into international education.

Highlights:

  • Programs usually last 1–6 weeks.
  • Get travel experience, exposing you to a different culture.
  • Often includes service-learning or volunteering opportunities.
  • Ideal for students with tight schedules or limited travel experience.

Example: AU Outreach Global – Service-Learning in Ghana

4. Auburn Exchange: Study Like a Local

Best for: Independent students ready to immerse themselves in another culture for a semester or academic year.

Through Auburn’s exchange partnerships with universities around the world, you can enroll abroad while paying Auburn tuition. These programs offer the most authentic and immersive experience, with the highest level of independence. These programs allow for opportunities to take classes alongside local students and fully integrate into campus life overseas.

Highlights:

  • Semester or full-year duration.
  • Pay Auburn tuition and fees.
  • Earn transfer credit toward your degree.
  • Deep cultural and academic engagement.

Example: Exchange Program at Keimyung University in Daegu, South Korea

5. Provider Programs: Flexibility with Global Reach

Best for: Students looking for a wide range of locations, courses, and support services.

Auburn works with several third-party program providers that offer high-quality study abroad experiences. These vendors provide extensive support, from housing and excursions to on-site staff, and allow students to choose from a vast menu of destinations and academic focuses.

Highlights:

  • Available year-round (semester, summer, short-term).
  • Dozens of countries and disciplines.
  • Transfer credit pending Auburn approval.

Example: A semester in Barcelona with classes in various subjects, homestays, and weekend trips.

Which Program Is Right for You?

The right program depends on your academic path, financial situation, comfort with travel, and long-term goals. Auburn Abroad coordinators are here to help you explore your options, connect with returnees, and plan a program that fits.

Key factors to consider:

  • Duration: Do you want a short summer trip or a full semester abroad?
  • Academic credit: Will you earn direct Auburn credit, transfer credit, or just an experience?
  • Budget: How do costs compare between program types?
  • Location: Are you interested in a small town or big city? The mountains or the beach?

Start Your Journey Today

At Auburn Abroad, we believe global learning changes lives — and that it should be open to every student. No matter your major, background, or travel experience, there’s a program out there for you. The world is your classroom. Where will you start the adventure?

Every year, Auburn Abroad holds a Study Abroad Fair on Cater Lawn. While there, students can learn more about different Auburn and non-Auburn programs and ask site specific questions. Learn more here!

Visit our website to explore current opportunities, sign up for an info session, or book an advising appointment.

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Why I Love Auburn: A Series

By Hayden Futral, Admissions Advisor

Although I did not attend Auburn University, I have grown up a huge Auburn fan. From running to Toomer’s after a football game to roll the trees to walking the campus with my dad to see where he studied in the ‘80s, Auburn’s campus is hard not to love as a non-alumnus.

I began my Auburn career in May of 2024 as an Admissions Advisor for the Huntsville Metro area in the state of Alabama. Upon arriving to campus for my interview, I knew that the feeling I had was not nerves (okay… maybe a few!) but a sense of pride and comfort. I knew if I was chosen to be an Admissions Advisor at Auburn University, it would be such a joy to come to work on this campus and with these students every day. Now, just passing my 1-year anniversary, I can say that applying to work at Auburn was the best choice I have ever made in my professional career. From the staff taking me under their wing to aid me in areas I was not familiar with, to having one of the most supportive supervisors I have ever had, Auburn University is full of people who not only care about the work they do, but they care about the person doing the work.

If you have ever heard anyone talk about Auburn, they more than likely mentioned the words “Auburn Family”. Here at Auburn, I truly believe you will never meet a stranger. With so many smiling faces, campus is full of electricity and fire to be a part of the Loveliest Village on the Plains. The Auburn family means so much to me. Growing up, I was raised in a divided household…football wise. My dad graduated from Auburn University, and my mom the University of Alabama. The weekend of the Iron Bowl was a treacherous time in my household. Auburn holds a special place in my heart. From the professional and personal growth that I have been able to achieve, to feeling right at home in a new city, Auburn takes you in and makes you one of its own. Like George Petrie said, “I believe in Auburn and love it.”

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It’s Never Too Late to Get Involved

By: Jackson Yanosky
Student Involvement – Student Writer

Getting involved on campus is a cornerstone of many students’ paths here at Auburn. Some students discover their path early on in their college careers, getting involved in organizations as freshmen or sophomores. Every student’s path is different, however, and many students find themselves getting involved in their junior or even senior year! It’s never too late to discover your path at Auburn.

Ian Maurelli is one student whose path highlights the way that Auburn students can get involved later on in college. Ian transferred here his sophomore year and spent his first couple of semesters here adjusting to life in Auburn, but by the beginning of his junior year he knew he wanted to get involved.

“Of course, that led me to the Student Government Association (SGA),” he tells me, “and I was lucky enough to get elected as Chief Justice, so I served from 2023-2024.” The SGA’s Chief Justice presides over all hearings and meetings of the judicial court.

“It was great work,” he describes. “I got to lead the student courts and make decisions. I got to really have a hand in what goes on at our university.”

Aside from the SGA, Ian wanted to get involved in something social, something active, and something academic. Luckily, after hearing about some organizations he was interested in, he had learned about AUinvolve and used it to help him make his decisions.

“After searching on AUinvolve for more information, I found all that I needed to know: the dues, where they meet, the times they meet, and the commitments required by the club,” he says. AUinvolve led him to join the organizations he had been looking for, and he joined the Swim club, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance, and Pi Lambda Sigma to fulfill his goal of finding an active, social, and academic organization, respectively.

Another student who found their path later is Delaney Donovan. Delaney says that in her early time at Auburn, she was “focused on getting situated and understanding what college was about,” as many other students are. Later, in her junior year, she was able to find the organizations that were right for her.

“I just searched on AUinvolve and found things that interested me. I found organizations that worked for me and applied,” she tells me. This led her to join many groups on campus that changed her life at Auburn.

Delaney is now Vice President of the High School Leadership Conference, Director of Events for the Spanish Club, on the Event Planning committee in Pi Lambda Sigma, and Executive Editor for AU Law Review.

“[Getting involved] made me feel really good,” she says. “In a lot of my clubs I now have leadership positions, so I always tell everyone that if they need anything to reach out to me, and a lot of them do. I’ll go to campus and get coffee with them or do something with them. It makes me feel like I’m helping, and that makes me feel really good.”

Delaney and Ian’s paths exhibit how it’s never too late to find the organizations you want to join at Auburn, but another student exemplifies how continual hard work can lead to finally reaching the goals a student sets for themselves early on in their college career.

Paige Rosckes says that when she came to Auburn and went on her first tour, she knew from that moment that one of her dreams was to become a Student Recruiter. She also knew early on that she wanted to be in organizations like the SGA and Freshman forum.

“My freshman year, I think I went to four or five Cater callouts and got nothing,” she tells me. Although that experience could be discouraging, Paige stayed determined and never stopped reaching for her goals.

“From the Creed, ‘believing in hard work’ is something that I lead through every day,” she says. “I kept persevering and the first thing that I achieved was getting on the Dance Line. Once I became a part of that, I just kept loving Auburn even more and wanting to find ways to get plugged in.”

Keeping her dream of wanting to become a Student Recruiter, Paige went to one of the Involvement Ambassadors (IA) for help. With the help of one of IA’s best, Paige was able to prepare and learn more about what Student Recruiters do. She ended up applying to join the Involvement Ambassadors as well.

Just before her senior year, Paige achieved her goal and became a Student Recruiter! Along with now being an Involvement Ambassador, Paige uses her positions in campus organizations to help lead other students to discover their paths.

Ian, Delaney, and Paige’s stories exemplify how it is never too late to get involved, whether that means finding and joining organizations later in college or pursuing a goal continually over your student career. Knowing resources like AUinvolve and talking to people like the Involvement Ambassadors can lead any student to where they want to be at Auburn. So, whether you are a freshman or a senior, never think that you’re unable to find your place here at Auburn. There is always something waiting for you, you just have to find it!

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Welcome to the Plains: A Guide for Out-of-State Students at Auburn University

By Bree Davis, Admissions Advisor

Making the move to college is a big step, and for out-of-state students coming to Auburn University, it’s more than just a new school — it’s a whole new environment. Whether you’re from across the state line in Georgia or across the country in California, welcome to Auburn! You’re not just joining a campus — you’re becoming part of the Auburn Family.

Adjusting to Life at Auburn

Moving away from home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re adjusting to new weather, regional culture, and possibly your first taste of sweet tea. But Auburn’s welcoming community, strong sense of tradition, and student-first approach make it easier to feel right at home.

The Auburn Creed isn’t just words — it’s a way of life here. You’ll quickly find people who are ready to help, whether it’s a classmate, advisor, or stranger who holds the door open for you with a friendly “War Eagle!”

Key Resources for Out-of-State Students

1. Camp War Eagle

Camp War Eagle (CWE) is the best place to start. Make the most out of your CWE Experience! Challenge yourself to meet as many people as possible and take advantage of all the opportunities offered at CWE.

2. First Year Seminar

Taking a First Year Seminar at Auburn University is a smart way to ease the transition into college life while building a strong foundation for academic and personal success. These small, discussion-based classes help new students develop essential skills like time management, connect with campus resources, and explore their goals and identity in a supportive environment. You’ll meet fellow first-year students, form meaningful relationships with faculty and peer mentors, and gain a deeper understanding of Auburn’s values and traditions.

3. AU Involve

Getting involved is especially important for out-of-state students at Auburn because it helps turn a new and unfamiliar place into a true home. Joining clubs, attending events, and connecting with others can ease homesickness, build lasting friendships, and create a strong support network. The more you’re engaged, the more Auburn feels like your community, not just your campus. You can browse the 590+ student organizations by visiting AU Involve.

Tips from Current Out-of-State Students

  • Bring layers! Alabama weather can change quickly — rainy, cold mornings and hot summer afternoons are common.
  • Stay connected to home, but give Auburn a chance to become your home too.
  • Use the Tiger Transit and campus shuttles. They’re a game-changer, especially if you don’t have a car on campus.

No matter how far you’ve traveled to get here, know that you belong at Auburn. You’re joining a community full of spirit, tradition, and opportunity — and we can’t wait to see what you’ll bring to the Plains.

War Eagle, and welcome home.